Few people will have an excuse not to take part in Basildon Marathon day after the town's Club Kingswood finalised details for a far less demanding three-mile fun run.

Other events backing the 26-mile main race already include a tractor pull, sideshows and youths' five-a-side football as Basildon aims to blend its 50th anniversary celebrations with a massive fundraiser for St Luke's Hospice.

The three-mile race on September 5 starts at 2.30pm from Murrayfields Pavilion.

A Club Kingswood spokes-man said: "We hope everyone will encourage their friends to join in. It doesn't matter if you've never run before - most people should be able to do it."

Contact Basildon's St Luke's Hospice (01268 524973) or Club Kingswood (01268 522954) for more details.

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